Methods and systems for controlling a light source of a cue light device

ABSTRACT

A cue light device may comprise one or more connection interfaces configured for electrical coupling to a video switcher via a cable; a microcontroller configured to obtain and analyze data from the video switcher via the cable and the one or more connection interfaces; a multi-position switch configured to selectively permit a segment of the data to be processed by the microcontroller; and a light source electrically coupled to the microcontroller and configured to selectively illuminate based on a configuration of the multi-position switch.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a cuelight device, and, more particularly, to controlling a light source of acue light device, and to systems that include cue light devices.

BACKGROUND

During live events, when multiple devices having potential sourcedisplays (e.g., for broadcasting, presenting, or streaming) are present,it may be difficult to know which device is currently “live,” or beingpresented to an audience. Additionally, operators of the devices mayneed to make last minute changes or adjustments to presentationmaterials during the live events, and it is imperative that theoperators make these changes or adjustments on devices when the devicesare not in operation so the ongoing events are not interrupted.

The present disclosure is directed to addressing one or more of theabove-referenced challenges. Unless otherwise indicated herein, thematerials described in this section are not prior art to the claims inthis application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions ofthe prior art, by inclusion in this section. This section is for thepurpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to certain aspects of the disclosure, methods and systems aredisclosed for controlling a light source of a cue light device.

In an aspect, a cue light device may comprise one or more connectioninterfaces configured for electrical coupling to a video switcher via acable; a microcontroller configured to obtain and analyze data from thevideo switcher via the cable and the one or more connection interfaces;a multi-position switch configured to selectively permit a segment ofthe data to be processed by the microcontroller; and a light sourceelectrically coupled to the microcontroller and configured toselectively illuminate based on a configuration of the multi-positionswitch.

In another aspect, a method for controlling a light source of a cuelight device may comprise obtaining video switch data from a remotevideo switcher; determining position data from a multi-position switchof the cue light device; determining an instructed status of the cuelight device based on the video switch data and the position data usingone or more algorithms; and controlling, via a microcontroller of thecue light device, the light source of the cue light device based on theinstructed status of the cue light device.

In yet another aspect, a method for controlling a light source of a cuelight device may comprise obtaining video switch data from a remotevideo switcher, wherein the video switch data comprises a status of oneor more video switches of the video switcher; determining position dataof a switch of the cue light device, wherein the position data isindicative of a segment of the video switch data to be processed by amicrocontroller of the cue light device; comparing, via themicrocontroller, the video switch data and the position data;determining an instructed status of the cue light device based on thecomparison between the video switch data and the position data; andcontrolling, via the microcontroller, based on the instructed status ofthe cue light device, wherein the controlling comprises controlling atleast one of an on-off operation, a brightness, or a mode of the lightsource.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments,and together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system for controlling a light source of acue light device, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary cue light device, according to one or moreembodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3H depict one or more components of a housing of a cue lightdevice, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method forcontrolling a light source of a cue light device, according to one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary flowchart illustrating a method forcontrolling a light source of a cue light device, according to one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a computing device, according to one ormore embodiments.

There are many embodiments described and illustrated herein. The presentdisclosure is neither limited to any single aspect nor embodimentthereof, nor to any combinations and/or permutations of such aspectsand/or embodiments. Each of the aspects of the present disclosure,and/or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone or in combination withone or more of the other aspects of the present disclosure and/orembodiments thereof. For the sake of brevity, many of those combinationsand permutations are not discussed separately herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may enable presenters and/orother operators to quickly and confidently know which device(s) out ofmultiple devices used for a presentation are live (e.g., broadcasting toa presentation display or other output), and which are not.Advantageously, after determining which device(s) are live, an operatormay make changes or make preparations for broadcast on devices that arenot live.

The terminology used below may be interpreted in its broadest reasonablemanner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detaileddescription of certain specific examples of the present disclosure.Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, anyterminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will beovertly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Descriptionsection. Both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are notrestrictive of the features, as claimed.

In this disclosure, the term “based on” means “based at least in parton.” The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context dictates otherwise. The term “exemplary” is used inthe sense of “example” rather than “ideal.” The terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” “including,” or other variations thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method,or product that comprises a list of elements does not necessarilyinclude only those elements, but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, orapparatus. Relative terms, such as, “substantially” and “generally,” areused to indicate a possible variation of ±10% of a stated or understoodvalue.

In the following description, embodiments will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. As will be discussed in moredetail below, in various embodiments, a cue light device may be attachedpermanently or temporarily to an electronic device to provide a visualindication (e.g., color changes, on-off changes, brightness changes) ofan on-off (e.g., live/not live, or on-air/not on-air) status of theelectronic device. The cue light device may be connected via a wired orwireless connection to a remote video switcher. A microcontroller and/oralgorithms may be used to generate such visual indication. In someembodiments, the cue light device may be used in audio/visual broadcastcontrol rooms, in backstage tech/graphics areas, or in any otherlocation where an electronic device or devices may be positioned forbroadcasting media to an audience during a live event with either anin-person or a remote audience.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for controlling a light source of a cuelight device, according to one or more embodiments. As shown in the FIG.1 , the system 100 may comprise a plurality of cue light devices 102, aplurality of power supplies 104, a plurality of cables 106, and a remotevideo switcher 108. Each of the plurality of cue light devices 102 maybe connected with a given power supply 104 associated with a givenelectronic device (e.g., a laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet, orother electronic device). The remote video switcher may include one ormore video switches (or outputs). The one or more video switches mayreceive one or more inputs, which may change the status of the one ormore video switches (e.g., the on or off status of the video switches;or the contact closure status of the video switches). For example, uponreceipt of a respective input at a switch of the remote video switcher108, an associated contact closure may be engaged to thereby change thestatus of the switch to produce an output (e.g., the output may in turnbecome an input for a cue light device 102). In some embodiments, theremote video switcher may include at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ormore video switches. In some embodiments, the remote video switcher mayinclude at most 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or less video switches. In oneexample, the remote video switcher may include 7 video switches, andeach of the video switches may be associated with a wire of a Cat5cable. In this situation, one wire that is not associated with a videoswitch may be connected to the ground. Further details of the electronicdevices, cue light devices 102, and remote video switcher 108 aredescribed elsewhere herein. One cue light device 102 may be connectedwith another cue light device 102 in parallel or in series (e.g., inseries as shown in FIG. 1 ).

One cue light device 102 may be connected with another cue light device102 via a given cable of the plurality of cables 106. In someembodiments, the plurality of cables may include a Cat5 cable,connecting the video switcher 108 to one or more of the cue lightdevices 102. A cable of the plurality of cables 106 may be adaptable todifferent types of connectors and/or connections suitable fortransmitting and/or receiving signals. The plurality of cables 106 maybe configured to carry any types of signals, such as telephony and videosignals, binary signals, or any other type of electronic signals. Agiven Cat5 cable 106 may include a plurality of wires at a connection110 between the remote video switcher 108 and a cue light device 102.For example, a given Cat5 cable 106 may include 8 wires, which may beconnected with the remote video switcher 108. The remote video switcher108 may include a built-in connection (e.g., tally connection), whichmay work like a relay and close a video switch or contact when anelectronic device goes live. The remote video switcher 108 may includeone or more video switches 112. Each of the 8 wires 110 may be connectedto each of the one or more video switches 112. In some embodiments, 7wires of the 8 wires may be connected to 7 video switches, respectively,and the remaining one wire of the 8 wires may be connected to theground.

The one or more power supplies 104 may be connected to the one or morecue light devices 102 to provide power to the cue light devices 102. Theone or more power supplies 104 may comprise a direct current (DC) or analternating current (AC) power source. A given power supply may be partof an electronic device. In some embodiments, no external power supplymay be connected to a cue light device 102. In such embodiments, the cuelight device 102 may include a power source (e.g., a battery), whichprovides electric power to any components (e.g., light source,microcontroller) in the cue light device 102.

Although one cue light device 102 may be connected with another cuelight device 102 via a given cable 106 (e.g., a wired connection) asshown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, one cue light device 102 may beconnected with another cue light device 102 via a wireless connection,e.g., as a part of a wireless network. Such wireless network may be anysuitable wireless network or combination of wireless networks and maysupport any appropriate protocol suitable for communication of data orsignal from one cue light device 102 to another cue light device 102and/or to the video switcher 108. A wireless implementation may includea cue light controller device that attaches to the remote video switcheror video switches. Such wireless network may be implemented as theInternet, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), or any other typeof wireless network that may provide communications between one cuelight device 102 and another cue light device 102, and/or communicationsbetween one or more cue light devices 102 and the remote video switcher108.

FIG. 2 shows, in schematic form, an exemplary cue light device 200,according to one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, each cuelight device 102 depicted in FIG. 1 may include any and all features ofthe cue light device 200 described herein. In an aspect, a cue lightdevice 200 may comprise one or more connection interfaces 202 ; amicrocontroller 204; a multi-position switch 206; a light source 208,and a power source 210. The multi-position switch 206 may be a switcharray that allows the multi-position switch 206 to function as aplurality of independent switches.

The one or more connection interfaces 202 may be configured forelectrical coupling of the microcontroller 204 to a remote videoswitcher (e.g., the remote video switcher 108 via a cable 106, asdescribed in FIG. 1 ). The one or more connection interfaces 202 mayinclude one or more input-output interfaces or modular connectioninterfaces, which may allow exchange of signals or data between anexternal device such as a remote video switcher (e.g., the remote videoswitcher 108), the microcontroller 204, the multi-position switch 206,and the light source 208. The one or more connection interfaces 202 mayinclude one or more communication interfaces, which may include one ormore components used for signals or data exchange (e.g., plug andsocket, connectors, wires, etc.). Mechanical, electrical and logicalsignals or data may pass across the one or more components. One or moreinterface protocols (e.g., programmed into the microcontroller 204) maybe used for sequencing the signals or data. The signals or data may bevideo switch signals or video switch data. The one or more communicationinterfaces may include an 8 position 8 contact (8P8C) interface, such asa RJ 45 interface.

The microcontroller 204 may be configured to obtain and analyze data,such as video switch data and/or signal data from the remote videoswitcher 108 via the one or more cables 106 and the one or moreconnection interfaces 202. Generally, the microcontroller 204 may beconfigured to interpret instructions as to whether the cue light device200 should emit a light (and, in some embodiments, what type of light),control the light source 208, and transmit a status of the light source208 (e.g., on, off, emitting a particular color or pattern of lights,etc.). In some embodiments, the microcontroller 204 may be configured todetermine position data of a multi-position switch 206 of the cue lightdevice 200, compare data received from a remote video switcher with theposition data of the multi-position switch 206, determine an instructedstatus of the cue light device 200 based on the compared data using oneor more algorithms, and/or control the light source 208 of the cue lightdevice 200 based on the instructed status of the cue light device 200.Details of the position data, the data received from a remote videoswitcher, and the instructed status of the cue light device 200 aredescribed elsewhere herein. The microcontroller 204 may comprise aprocessor and memory on a single chip. The processor may be any suitableprocessor, such as a 4-bit, 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit or 64-bit processor.The memory may comprise random access memory (RAM), flash memory,erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments, themicrocontroller 204 may be an Arduino Pro Micro controller (Arduino).

The light source 208 may be electrically coupled to the microcontroller204, such that the microcontroller 204 may selectively illuminate thelight source 208 based on a configuration of the multi-position switch206. The light source 208 may include any type of source that can emitlight, including, for example, an incandescent lamp, an electricdischarge lamp (e.g. fluorescent lamp), or and/or an electroluminescentsource (e.g., one or more light-emitting diodes).

The multi-position switch 206 may be configured to selectively permit asegment of the data to be processed by the microcontroller. Themulti-position switch 206 may include at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, ormore positions. In some embodiments, the multi-position switch 206 mayinclude at most 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 positions. In one example, themulti-position switch 206 may include 5 positions. Each position mayinclude an individual switch, such as a binary switch. Each positionmay, e.g., control one or more characteristics of the light source 208,either alone or in combination with other positions of the multiposition switch 206. For example, one of the 5 positions of themulti-position switch 206 may be a “brightness position” and may controla brightness of the light source 208. In this situation, an “on”operation of the brightness position may make the light source bright,and an “off” operation of the brightness position may make the lightsource dim. As another example, one of the positions of themulti-position switch 206 may control a color of the light source 208.The color of the light source may include any color, such as green, red,yellow, purple, blue, white, or pink. As yet another example, one of thepositions of the multi-position switch 206 may control a mode of thelight source 208. The mode of the light source 208 may include anoperation pattern of the light source. For example, the operationpattern of the light source 208 may include a blinking pattern, suchthat the light source 208 is on for, e.g., 1 second, and off for 1second (or any suitable interval), repeatedly. In another example, theoperation pattern of the light source 208 may include an alternatingcolor flashing pattern, such that the light source 208 shows a greenlight for 1 second and then shows a red light for 1 second (or anysuitable interval), repeatedly. In yet another example, the operationpattern of the light source 208 may include the light source 208 showinga solid light for a pre-determined period of time. The pre-determinedperiod of time may be at least 1 minute, 1 hour, or longer, or anysuitable period of time. In some embodiments, the pre-determined periodof time may be at most 1 hour, 1 minute, or shorter.

The multi-position switch 206 may be further configured to provide anindication to, e.g., the microcontroller 204 as to what information froman external source, such as the remote video switcher 108, is relevantto the cue light device 200. In some embodiments, the multi-positionswitch 206 may indicate a signal or information source relevant to thecue light device 200 based on an on-off status of multiple positions,such as 3 positions, 4 positions, or more positions. In suchembodiments, specific combinations of the multiple positions (e.g., the3 positions) may be associated with one video switch of a remote videoswitcher (e.g., one of the video switches 112 of the remote videoswitcher 108) based on an exchange between a binary code and a decimalcode. An “on” status of a position may correspond to binary code “1,”and an “off” status of a position may correspond to binary code “0.” Forexample, if the on-off status of the 3 positions is “on-on-off,” thenthe binary code may be 110, which is corresponding to a decimal code“6,” representing the sixth video switch of the remote video switcher108. In this case, a segment of data or signal from sixth video switchinstead of the rest of the video switches may be deemed as instructionalto the microcontroller 204 of the cue light device 200. In anotherexample, if the on-off status of the 3 positions is off-on-on, then thebinary code may be 011, which is corresponding to a decimal code “3,”representing the third video switch of the remote video switcher 108. Inthis case, a segment of data or signal from the third video switchinstead of the rest of the video switches may be deemed as instructionalto the microcontroller 204 of the cue light device 200. Themulti-position switch 206 may be programmed, e.g., manually, byactivating and/or deactivating manual switches on the multi-positionswitch 206, and/or may be programmed digitally, e.g., by way of aswitch-programming algorithm executed by, e.g., the microcontroller 204or another device connected to the multi-position switch 206.

FIGS. 3A-3H depict components of a cue light device (e.g. a cue lightdevice 102 and/or a cue light device 200), according to one or moreembodiments. A housing 300, depicted in FIG. 3A, may be configured to atleast partially enclose one or more connection interfaces (e.g.,connection interfaces 202), a microcontroller (e.g., the microcontroller204), a multi-position switch (e.g., the multi-position switch 206), anda light source (e.g., the light source 208). The housing 300 may includea sides structure 310 (depicted in FIG. 3G). Additionally, the cue lightdevice may include a bottom structure 302 (FIG. 3B), an attachmentstructure 304 (FIGS. 3C, 3D, 3F, and 3H), a front structure (e.g., afront panel) 306 (FIG. 3E), and a filter and/or screen 308 (FIGS. 3A,3F, and 3H).

The bottom structure 302 may include a bottom panel 301 with one or moreopenings 303 passing through the bottom panel 301. The bottom structure302 may be configured to attach one or more cables (e.g., cables 106,depicted in FIG. 1 ) through the one or more holes 303. The one or moreholes 303 may be used to mount a standard cable adapter/plug (e.g., amodular RJ45 female jack). The one or more holes 303 may be modified tosupport any other cable/connector type. The particular geometries of thebottom structure 302 may be any suitable geometries. In someembodiments, the particular size, shape, and/or structure of the bottomstructure 302 may be configured to secure and/or dovetail the bottomstructure 302 with other components of the housing 300 or the cue lightdevice.

The attachment structure 304 may include a first pair of arms 305 and asecond pair of arms 307. A first arm 305A of the first pair of arms anda first arm 307A of the second pair of arms may be configured to contacta first surface of an electronic device, as shown in assembly 312depicted in FIG. 3H. A second arm 307B of the first pair of arms and asecond arm 305B of the second pair of arms may be configured to contacta second surface of the electronic device opposite the first surface.Together, the first pair of arms 305 and the second pair of arms 307 mayassist in ensuring that the housing 300 is adequately attached to,positioned on, or affixed to the electronic device.

The front structure 306 may include a front panel. The front structure306 may be made with transparent or translucent material (e.g., plastic,Plexiglas, or glass) so that light from an internal light source canpass through the front structure 306. The front structure 306 may beconfigured to be coupled with the filter and/or screen 308 exterior tothe front structure 306, and/or with a light source (e.g., a lightsource 208 inside the housing 300). The front structure 306 also may beconfigured to be coupled with the bottom structure 302 and the sidesstructure 310 of the housing 300. The filter and/or screen 308 may coverthe front structure 306, to provide an additional protection for a lightsource interior to the housing 300 and/or to provide additional lightfiltration.

The sides structure 310 may include a top and one or more side walls,and may include one or more openings 314 (depicted in FIG. 3G) for,e.g., access to a multi-position switch (e.g., the multi-position switch206) and/or one or more power connections for one or more powersupplies. Generally, the sides structure 310 may have any suitable sizeand/or shape to accommodate all parts of a cue light device and/or to beattached to, affixed to, or positioned on an electronic device. Thehousing 300 may be formed of any material, such as metallic material,metal-containing material, semiconductor-containing material, polymericmaterial, or composite material. While the housing 300 is depicted ashaving a generally box-like shape, it is contemplated that the housing300 and the cue light device as a whole may have any suitable shape(e.g., spherical, flat, oblong, etc.). Moreover, the front structure 306and/or the filter and/or screen 308 may be positioned at any suitablelocation to allow an internal light source to emit light out of thehousing 300 (e.g., through the top, back, or any or all sides of thehousing 300).

An electronic device may be a laptop. In some other examples, theelectronic device may be a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet,pager, personal digital assistant (PDA)), a computer (e.g., laptopcomputer, desktop computer, server), or a wearable device (e.g.,smartwatches). The electric device can also include any other mediacontent player, for example, a set-top box, a television set, a videogame system, or any electronic device capable of providing or renderingdata. The electronic device may optionally be portable. The electronicdevice may be handheld. The electronic device may be capable ofconnecting to a wired or wireless network, such as a local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, atelecommunications network, a data network, or any other type ofnetwork.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a lightsource of a cue light device, according to one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The method may be performed by computer systemdescribed in FIG. 6 .

Step 401 may include a step of obtaining video switch data from a remotevideo switcher (e.g., the remote video switcher 108). The remote videoswitcher may include one or more video switches. In some embodiments,the remote video switcher may include at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ormore video switches. In some embodiments, the remote video switcher mayinclude at most 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or less video switches. In oneexample, the remote video switcher may include 7 video switches, andeach of the video switches may be associated with a wire of a Cat5cable. In this situation, one wire that is not associated with a videoswitch may be connected to the ground.

The video switch data may include a status of one or more video switches(e.g., sources, inputs, video switcher status data, etc.) of the remotevideo switcher. The status of the one or more video switches of theremote video switcher may include an on-off status of the one or morevideo switches. The on-off status of the one or more video switches mayrepresent, either alone or in combination, which video switch of the oneor more video switches is on. For example, the on-off status of the oneor more video switches may include a status that the first video switchis on and the rest of the video switches are off. In another example,the on-off status of the one or more video switches may include a statusthat the second video switch is on and the rest of the video switchesare off.

The remote video switcher 108 may include one or more processors toprogram the status of the one or more video switches. In this situation,one or more algorithms may be used to program the status of the one ormore video switches. The status of the one or more video switches may beconstant during a predetermined period. For instance, during a period oftwo hours, the status of the one or more video switches may be that thesecond video switch is on and the rest of the video switches are off. Insome embodiments, the status of the one or more video switches may varyduring a predetermined period, and the variance may be operated manuallyby an operator or determined by the one or more algorithms. Forinstance, during a period of two hours, the status of the one or morevideo switches may be that each video switch is on for two minutes oneafter another. The video switch data obtained from the remote videoswitcher 108 may be transmitted (e.g., through the one or more cables106 to one or more cue light devices (e.g., cue light devices 102/200)and then through the one or more connection interfaces 202 (e.g., RJ45interfaces) to the microcontroller 204 within each of the one or morecue light devices. In some embodiments, the video switch data may betransmitted via a wireless connection (e.g., a wireless network).

Step 402 may include a step of determining position data from amulti-position switch or switch array of the cue light device. Themulti-position switch or switch array may include one or more singleswitches, each of which can switch on binary or multiple positions.(e.g., on or off position). The multi-position switch may include atleast 1, 2, 3 or more positions. In some embodiments, the multi-positionswitch may include at most 4, 3, 2, or fewer positions. In one example,the multi-position switch may be 5 positions. Details of the positionsare described elsewhere herein. Determining the position data mayinclude determining a status of multiple positions of the multi-positionswitch. The position data may include information regarding theconfiguration or status of the multi-position switch. For example, ifdetermining a status of 3 positions of the multi-position switch, theconfiguration or status of the 3 positions of the multi-position switchmay include an on-off status of each of the 3 positions. In thissituation, the 3 positions may be associated with status data from avideo switch of a remote video switcher (e.g., one of the video switches112 of the remote video switcher 108) based on an exchange between abinary code and a decimal code. An on status of a position maycorrespond to binary code “1,” and an off status of a position maycorrespond to binary code “0.” For example, if the on-off status of the3 positions is on-on-off, then the binary code may be 110, which iscorresponding to a decimal code “6,” representing the sixth video switchof the remote video switcher 108. In this case, a segment of data orsignal from sixth video switch instead of the rest of the video switchesmay be processed by a microcontroller 204 of the cue light device 200.In another example, if the on-off status of the 3 positions isoff-on-on, then the binary code may be 011, which is corresponding to adecimal code “3,” representing the third video switch of the remotevideo switcher 108. In this case, a segment of data or signal from thethird video switch instead of the rest of the video switches may beprocessed by a microcontroller 204 of the cue light device 200.

In another example, if determining a status of the positions of amulti-position switch having 5 positions, the configuration or status ofthe 5 positions of the multi-position switch may include an on-offstatus of the 5 positions. In this situation, for example, 3 positionsof the 5 positions may be associated with one of the video switches 112of the remote video switcher 108 based on an exchange between a binarycode and a decimal code, and the remaining 2 positions of the 5positions may control other aspects of the cue light device associatedwith the multi-position switch, such as a brightness and a mode (e.g.,blinking or colored light) of the cue light device. For example, if theon-off status of the 3 positions of the 5 positions is on-on-off, thenthe binary code may be 110, which is corresponding to a decimal code“6,” representing the status data from the sixth video switch of theremote video switcher 108. The remaining 2 positions of the 5 positionsmay control a dimmed light and an operation pattern that the lightsource is flashed once every second. In this case, a segment of data orsignal from the sixth video switch instead of the rest of the videoswitches may be processed by a microcontroller of the cue light device,and if there is any signal from the sixth video switch, the light sourceof the cue light device may, e.g., be dimmed light that flashes onceevery second.

Step 403 may include a step of determining an instructed status of thecue light device based on the video switch data and the position datausing one or more algorithms. In some embodiments, this step may beperformed by, e.g., the microcontroller of the cue light device. Theinstructed status of the cue light device may include an on-off status,a brightness status, a mode status of the light source of the cue lightdevice, and/or any other status indicated by the position data. Theon-off status may include whether the light source of the cue lightdevice should be on or off. The brightness status may represent aninstructed level of brightness of the light source. The mode status mayrepresent an instructed mode (e.g., flashing, color, etc.) of the lightsource. Determining an instructed status of the cue light device basedon the video switch data and the position data using one or morealgorithms may include matching/comparing the video switch data with theposition data. For instance, the video switch data may represent thatthe sixth video switch is on and the rest of the video switches are off(e.g., sixth video input is active and the rest of the video inputs arenot), and the position data of the cue light device may indicate thatthe microcontroller of the cue light device may process the segment ofdata or signal from the sixth video switch of a remote video switcher,instead of the rest of the video switches. In this situation, theinstructed status of the cue light device may be “on” because there is amatch between the video switch data and the position data. In anotherexample, the video switch data may represent that the second videoswitch (e.g., input) is live and the rest of the video switches are off(e.g., inputs are not live), and position data may represent that themicrocontroller of the cue light device may process the segment of dataor signal from the sixth video switch instead of the rest of the videoswitches. In this situation, the instructed status of the cue lightdevice may be “off” because there is not a match between the videoswitch data and the position data. In yet another example, the videoswitch data may represent that the sixth video switch is on and the restof the video switches are off; position data may represent that themicrocontroller of the cue light device may process the segment of dataor signal from the sixth video switch instead of the rest of the videoswitches; and position data may also indicate that the light source mayshow dimmed light every 1 second. In this situation, the instructedstatus of the cue light device may be “on,” with a dimmed light showingevery 1 second.

Step 404 may include a step of controlling, via a microcontroller of thecue light device, the light source of the cue light device based on theinstructed status of the cue light device. The controlling may includecontrolling at least one of an on-off operation, brightness, and/or amode of the light source. For instance, if the instructed status of thecue light device is determined to be on in step 403, then themicrocontroller may control the light source to be on. Details of theon-off operation, brightness, or a mode of the light source aredescribed elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the on-off operationmay include a color change of the light source. For instance, the onoperation may be shown in green color by the light source, and the offoperation may be shown in red color by the light source. In thissituation, the color change of the light source from green to red mayrepresent a change from the on operation to the off operation of thelight source. In another example, the on operation may be shown in redcolor (e.g., a warning sign) by the light source, and the off operationmay be shown in green color (e.g., a safe sign) by the light source. Inthis situation, the color change of the light source from red to greenmay represent a change from the on operation to the off operation of thelight source.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method forcontrolling a light source of a cue light device, according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, themethod may be performed by, e.g., the computer system described in FIG.6 , in conjunction with one or more microcontrollers of cue lightdevices.

Step 501 may be similar to step 401, which includes a step of obtainingvideo switch data from a remote video switcher (e.g., the remote videoswitcher 108). The video switch data may comprise a status of one ormore video switches of the remote video switcher. The status of the oneor more video switches (e.g., sources) of the remote video switcher mayinclude an on-off status of the one or more video switches (e.g.,sources). Details of the status of the one or more video switches aredescribed elsewhere herein.

Step 502 may be similar to step 402, which includes a step ofdetermining position data of a multi-position switch of the cue lightdevice. The position data may be indicative of a segment of the videoswitch data to be processed by a microcontroller of the cue lightdevice. For instance, if the position data includes the configuration orstatus of the 3 positions of the multi-position switch showing a binarycode corresponding to the third video switch, then the position data mayindicate that a segment of data or signal from third video switchinstead of the rest of the video switches may be processed by amicrocontroller of the cue light device.

Step 503 may include a step of comparing, via the microcontroller, thevideo switch data and the position data. Step 504 may include a step ofdetermining an instructed status of the cue light device based on thecomparison between the video switch data and the position data. Forinstance, the video switch data may represent that the sixth videoswitch is on and the rest of the video switches are off, and positiondata may represent that on-off status of the 3 positions of themulti-position switch corresponding to the sixth video switch. In thissituation, the instructed status of the cue light device may be “on”because there is a match between the video switch data and the positiondata, wherein the position data shows that the microcontroller of cuelight device may process the data from the sixth video switch and videoswitch data shows that the sixth video switch is on. In another example,the video switch data may represent that the second video switch is onand the rest of the video switches are off, and position data mayrepresent that on-off status of the 3 positions of the multi-positionswitch corresponding to the third video switch. In this situation, theinstructed status of the cue light device may be “off” because there isnot a match between the video switch data and the position data, whereinthe position data shows that the microcontroller of the cue light devicemay process the data of the second video switch but video switch datashows that the second video switch is off.

Step 505 may be similar to step 404, which includes a step ofcontrolling the light source, via the microcontroller, based on theinstructed status of the cue light device, wherein the controllingcomprises controlling at least one of an on-off operation, a brightness,or a mode of the light source. Details of the on-off operation, abrightness, or a mode of the light source are described elsewhereherein. In some embodiments, the on-off operation may include a colorchange of the light source. For instance, the on operation may be shownin green color by the light source, and the off operation may be shownin red color by the light source. In this situation, the color change ofthe light source from green to red may represent a change from the onoperation to the off operation of the light source. In another example,the on operation may be shown in red color (e.g., a warning sign) by thelight source, and the off operation may be shown in green color (e.g., asafe sign) by the light source. In this situation, the color change ofthe light source from red to green may represent a change from the onoperation to the off operation of the light source.

Prior to step 501, or at any stage of controlling a light source of acue light device, the method may include a step of programming a remotevideo switcher with a sequence of video switch statuses. Suchprogramming may be done by an operator of the cue light device or analgorithm (e.g., trained machine learning algorithm). For instance, aplurality of electronic devices (e.g., laptops) may be used for aconference presentation, and each of the plurality of electronic devicesmay be connected with a cue light device. A sequence of using theplurality of electronic devices (e.g., a sequence of turning on andpresenting different slides with different electronic devices) may bedecided. In this situation, a sequence of video switch statuses may beprogrammed based on the sequence of using the plurality of electronicdevices.

The instructed status of the one or more video switches or anyoperations of the cue light device may be determined by the one or morealgorithms. For example, the one or more algorithms may include atrained machine learning algorithm. The trained machine learningalgorithm may include, e.g., a regression-based model that accepts theprior status of the one or more video switches, any informationregarding one or more electronic devices (e.g., a prior sequence ofusing the plurality of electronic devices), or any information regardingcontrolling the light source of the cue light device as input data. Thetrained machine learning algorithm may be of any suitable form, and mayinclude, for example, a neural network. A neural network may be softwarerepresenting a neural system (e.g., cognitive system). A neural networkmay include a series of layers termed “neurons” or “nodes.” A neuralnetwork may comprise an input layer, to which data is presented; one ormore internal layers; and an output layer. The number of neurons in eachlayer may be related to the complexity of a problem to be solved. Inputneurons may receive data being presented and then transmit the data tothe first internal layer through connections' weight. A neural networkmay include a convolutional neural network, a deep neural network, or arecurrent neural network.

The trained machine learning algorithm may determine the status of theone or more video switches or an operation of the cue light device as afunction of the prior status of the one or more video switches, priorinformation regarding one or more electronic devices (e.g., a priorsequence of using the plurality of electronic devices), priorinformation regarding controlling the light source of the cue lightdevice, or one or more variables indicated in the input data. The one ormore variables may be derived from the prior status of the one or morevideo switches, prior information regarding one or more electronicdevices (e.g., a prior sequence of using the plurality of electronicdevices), or prior information regarding controlling the light source ofthe cue light device. This function may be learned by training themachine learning algorithm with training sets. The machine learningalgorithm may be trained by supervised, unsupervised or semi-supervisedlearning using training sets comprising data of types similar to thetype of data used as the model input. The future status of the one ormore video switches or future operation of the cue light devicedetermined by the machine learning model may be used as an additionalinput variable.

In general, any process discussed in this disclosure that is understoodto be computer-implementable, such as the processes illustrated in FIGS.4-5 , may be performed by one or more processors of a computer system. Aprocess or process step performed by one or more processors may also bereferred to as an operation. The one or more processors may beconfigured to perform such processes by having access to instructions(e.g., software or computer-readable code) that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform theprocesses. The instructions may be stored in a memory of the computersystem. A processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or any suitable types of processing unit.

A computer system may include one or more computing devices. If the oneor more processors of the computer system are implemented as a pluralityof processors, the plurality of processors may be included in a singlecomputing device or distributed among a plurality of computing devices.If a computer system comprises a plurality of computing devices, thememory of the computer system may include the respective memory of eachcomputing device of the plurality of computing devices.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a computing device 600 of a computersystem. The computing device 600 may include processor(s) 610 (e.g.,CPU, GPU, or other such processing unit(s)), a memory 620, andcommunication interface(s) 640 (e.g., a network interface) tocommunicate with other devices. Memory 620 may include volatile memory,such as RAM, and/or non-volatile memory, such as ROM and storage media.Examples of storage media include solid-state storage media (e.g., solidstate drives and/or removable flash memory), optical storage media(e.g., optical discs), and/or magnetic storage media (e.g., hard diskdrives). The aforementioned instructions (e.g., software orcomputer-readable code) may be stored in any volatile and/ornon-volatile memory component of memory 620. The computing device 600may, in some embodiments, further include input device(s) 650 (e.g., akeyboard, mouse, or touchscreen) and output device(s) 660 (e.g., adisplay, printer). The aforementioned elements of the computing device600 may be connected to one another through a bus 630, which representsone or more busses. In some embodiments, the processor(s) 610 of thecomputing device 600 includes both a CPU and a GPU.

Instructions executable by one or more processors may be stored on anon-transitory computer-readable medium. Therefore, whenever acomputer-implemented method is described in this disclosure, thisdisclosure shall also be understood as describing a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by oneor more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform thecomputer-implemented method. Examples of non-transitorycomputer-readable medium include RAM, ROM, solid-state storage media(e.g., solid state drives), optical storage media (e.g., optical discs),and magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disk drives). A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium may be part of the memory of a computer systemor separate from any computer system.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplaryembodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a singleembodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one ormore of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure,however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in lessthan all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, theclaims following the Detailed Description are hereby expresslyincorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some butnot other features included in other embodiments, combinations offeatures of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope ofthe disclosure, and form different embodiments, as would be understoodby those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, anyof the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Thus, while certain embodiments have been described, those skilled inthe art will recognize that other and further modifications may be madethereto without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and it isintended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling withinthe scope of the disclosure. For example, functionality may be added ordeleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged amongfunctional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods describedwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other implementations, which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to themaximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is tobe determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of thefollowing claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted orlimited by the foregoing detailed description. While variousimplementations of the disclosure have been described, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreimplementations and implementations are possible within the scope of thedisclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A computer-implemented method for controlling alight source of a cue light device, the method comprising: programming aremote video switcher with video switch data, using one or more machinelearning algorithms; determining position data from a multi-positionswitch of the cue light device; determining an instructed status of thecue light device based on the video switch data and the position datausing the one or more machine learning algorithms; and controlling, viaa microcontroller of the cue light device, the light source of the cuelight device based on the instructed status of the cue light device. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein the controlling comprises controlling anon-off operation of the cue light device.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the video switch data comprises a status of one or more videoswitches of the remote video switcher.
 24. The method of claim 23,wherein a machine learning algorithm of the one or more machine learningalgorithms determines the status of the one or more video switches basedupon a prior status of the one or more video switches.
 25. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the remote video switcher is programmed with asequence of video switch statuses.
 26. The method of claim 25, whereinthe sequence of video switch statuses are programmed using the one ormore machine learning algorithms based on a sequence of using aplurality of electronic devices.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein theplurality of electronic devices comprises one or more laptop computers.28. The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more machine learningalgorithms comprise one or more trained machine learning algorithms. 29.The method of claim 21, where in the one or more machine learningalgorithms comprises a regression-based model configured to take as aninput a prior status of the cue light device.
 30. A computer-implementedmethod for using a trained machine-learning model for controlling alight source of a cue light device, the method comprising: programming aremote video switcher with video switch data, using one or more machinelearning algorithms; determining position data from a multi-positionswitch of the cue light device; and determining an instructed status ofthe cue light device based on the video switch data and the positiondata using the one or more machine learning algorithms.
 31. The methodof claim 30, wherein the video switch data comprises a status of one ormore video switches of the remote video switcher.
 32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein a machine learning algorithm of the one or moremachine learning algorithms determines the status of the one or morevideo switches based upon a prior status of the one or more videoswitches.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein the remote video switcheris programmed with a sequence of video switch statuses.
 34. The methodof claim 33, wherein the sequence of video switch statuses areprogrammed using the one or more machine learning algorithms based on asequence of using a plurality of electronic devices.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, wherein the plurality of electronic devices comprises one ormore laptop computers.
 36. The method of claim 30, further comprisingcontrolling, via a microcontroller of the cue light device, a lightsource of the cue light device based on the instructed status of the cuelight device.
 37. The method of claim 30, where in the one or moremachine learning algorithms comprises a regression-based modelconfigured to take as an input a prior status of the cue light device.38. A system for controlling a light source of a cue light device, thesystem comprising: a memory storing instructions and a trained machinelearning model trained to learn associations between video switch dataand position data; and a processor operatively connected to the memoryand configured to execute the instructions to perform operationsincluding: programming a remote video switcher with the video switchdata, using one or more machine learning algorithms; determining theposition data from a multi-position switch of the cue light device;determining an instructed status of the cue light device based on thevideo switch data and the position data using the one or more machinelearning algorithms; and controlling, via a microcontroller of the cuelight device, the light source of the cue light device based on theinstructed status of the cue light device.
 39. The system of claim 38,wherein the controlling comprises controlling an on-off operation of thecue light device.
 40. The system of claim 38, wherein the video switchdata comprises a status of one or more video switches of the remotevideo switcher.